Ripon Workhouse Museum

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Follow the story of poverty, crime and punishment through our three museums. Desperation often led the poor to a life of petty crime, and the punishments were cruel and severe. Discover what life was like in the workhouse, prison and courthouse. Find out why people ended up here and what happened to them.

Important Notice: From March 21st, all three of Ripon Museums - the Workhouse Museum & Garden, the Prison & Police Museum and the Courthouse will be closed until further notice, in line with the latest advice from the Government and Public Health England.

Please see our website for updates. We also aim to bring our museums to you by sharing the stories of the many people who spent time in our institutions, together with exploring the objects in our collections, through social media.

Workhouse Museum & Garden

Experience the Victorian workhouse, starting at the original gatehouse building, walk into the workhouse as a vagrant – the indignity and horror of the baths and the fumigation process can be followed to the Vagrant’s Cells. Discover the contrast between the Master & Matron’s quarters and the sparse inmates’ accommodation.

Visit the kitchen garden where workhouse inmates worked – now restored and growing fruit and vegetables available in 1890.

Opening Times

Open Christmas

2020 - Opening(10 Feb 2020 - 1 Dec 2020)

Day

Times

Monday

11:00

16:00*

Tuesday

11:00

16:00*

Wednesday

11:00

16:00*

Thursday

11:00

16:00*

Friday

11:00

16:00*

Saturday

11:00

16:00*

Sunday

11:00

16:00*

* Local school holidays all three museums are open 10am - 4pm

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

Recent Reviews:

Stephen m

Chester, United Kingdom

Trip Type:

Family

Freddie’s Workhouse Experience

Thursday, 20th February 2020

Fantastic place. Really loved the activities and how it brought everything about the workhouse to life. Freddie says you have to bake jam tarts, make a spoon doll and a rag rug. Highly recommended... Read full review

PhilipWestYorkshire

Batley, United Kingdom

It should remind us how things were, and not so long ago either.

Thursday, 5th March 2020

This museum is well-kept and very informative, and the staff are lovely.
The introduction to the organisation, the board, and the separation of 'tramps' and residents. The rules seem strict but... Read full review

Barbara W

Middlesbrough

Workhouse visit

Friday, 6th March 2020

This is a great museum. The buildings are lovely and well preserved. The information panels are very informative and the volunteer staff are helpful and friendly. We spent several hours here... Read full review